Baltimore: Eating
Baltimore is affectionately known as Crab City , and locals will argue to their graves that Maryland produces the best steamed crabs this side of heaven. The city has dozens of reasonably priced fresh seafood places, as well as the usual range of diners and more than a dozen good family-run restaurants side by side in Little Italy, just east of the Inner Harbor. Canton holds a wider selection, ranging from Irish to Mexican, while Fell's Point boasts numerous vegetarian and waterfront restaurants, and even high tea at Bertha's pub. The Colonnade Market in the Light Street Pavilion of Harborplace Mall holds a wide selection of fast-food outlets, including several Phillips counters offering steamed clams, soft-shell crab sandwiches and so on. In general the city's restaurants tend to be unpretentious, family oriented and reasonably priced.Bertha's 734 S Broadway (tel 410/327-5795). Casual and inexpensive yet stylish seafood restaurant, tucked away behind a tiny Fell's Point bar.
Crabby Dick's 606 S Broadway (tel 410/327-7900). Lively seafood restaurant-cum-sports bar offering lots of crab and shellfish specials plus pasta, sandwiches and BBQ dishes.
Da Mimmo 217 S High St (tel 410/727-6876). Intimate, romantic Little Italy café, with live piano music, a wide-ranging menu, and even a complimentary limo service from any downtown location. Main dishes $10-15.
Donna's Coffee Bar 2 W Madison at Charles tel 410/385-0180. Espressos, pastries and light, savory dishes in elegant Mount Vernon, with sidewalk seating.
Five Seasons 322 N Charles St tel 410/625-9787. Ethiopian restaurant serving meats like goat in rich Berbere sauces as well as dishes from Morocco, India and Japan. Also a dance venue with live DJs.
Helmand 806 N Charles St tel 410/752-0311. Inexpensive but chic dinner-only Afghan restaurant in Mount Vernon. Plenty of lamb dishes, plus aushak (leek-filled vegetarian ravioli) and the delicious kaddo borawni , a fried-pumpkin appetizer.
Obrycki's 1727 E Pratt St tel 410/732-6399. Baltimore's best and longest established seafood restaurant, with delicious fresh crabs at premium prices. Closed in winter.
Rick's Café Americain 2903 O'Donnell St tel 410/675-1880. Snazzy eatery with Casablanca theme in Canton. Good range of burgers, sandwiches and main courses; the wine list is quite pricey.
Thairish 804 N Charles St tel 410/752.5857. Tiny, basic and very cheap Mount Vernon spot with a limited but tasty range of authentic Thai favorites.
Women's Industrial Exchange Restaurant 333 N Charles St tel 410/685-4388. Excellent-value 1940s café with full breakfasts for under $3, huge plates of chicken gumbo for $5, and great crabcakes.
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